Norman optimistic for Augusta green jacket

If Greg Norman is to beat his Augusta jinx and win the Masters this weekend, he will need to conquer a course that will be as unfamiliar to the old campaigner as to any rookie.

Gone is the old Augusta Norman knew so well and in its place is a brutal course, renovated to combat not just Tiger Woods but also the space-age advances in modern equipment.

Nine holes have been overhauled, and more than 250 metres added to a layout that was first used for a Masters in 1934 and had survived pretty much untouched until last year. Those nine holes will have to be relearned.

Despite the odds stacked against him, Norman, who is playing on a special invitation from the Masters committee, is convinced he is not the outsider many commentators suggest.

And he is undaunted by the fact that if he is the proud owner of a green jacket on Sunday, he will be, at 47, the oldest winner in Masters history, beating Jack Nicklaus by one year.");document.write("

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"I haven't given up on the possibility," he said. "This is the fittest I've been in years and I think I can still compete with these young kids."

Only two weeks ago, Norman was in the thick of the action in the Houston Open until a triple bogey sent him crashing. He insists he still has another Major victory in him.

Although he only played 11 USPGA tournaments last year, Norman dismissed suggestions he had all but retired.

"I have no intention of retiring and people who think I have retired just because I do not hold a PGA Tour card any more should look at my career," he said. "Very seldom have I played more than 15 or 16 tournaments a year in the States."

Norman makes no secret of the special place he has in his heart for the Masters, a tournament he describes as the greatest of them all.

"Nothing will satisfy me more in golf than winning the Masters," he said.

He has often come close to winning the green jacket. Only three years ago he finished third.

At one stage on the final day he was the outright leader after he drained a 8.5m eagle putt on the 13th. But eventual winner Jose Maria Olazabal dropped his birdie putt and while the Spaniard continued to pick up shots, Norman began dropping them.

In 1987 he tied for second after a play-off, a year later he finished fifth and in 1989 he was third.

His biggest blow at Augusta came in 1996 when he appeared a shoo-in to win heading into the final round with a six-shot lead.

By the time a shell-shocked Norman walked off the 18th green the title had gone to Nick Faldo. The Australian had shot a 78 and another green jacket had slipped out of his grasp.

With time rapidly running out, Norman is ready for what is likely to be his final attempt.

He has plenty of money. Ferraris fill his garage, he has his own plane, own boat and lives a multi-millionaire lifestyle. But his wardrobe lacks a green jacket.

If Norman is hailed the winner on Sunday night, no-one will begrudge him his moment of glory. The old Augusta treated him cruelly.